Gov. Steve Bullock is running for the Senate against incumbent Republican Steve Daines, an unabashed Trump supporter. Bullock has a strong track record of winning tough elections in the state. He has been elected governor twice with 50% and 49% of the vote, and before that, Attorney General with 53%.
But Montana is accustomed to voters splitting their tickets. Four years ago, Bullock won a second term as governor while Trump was carrying the state 55%-35%. In addition, Democratic Sen. Jon Tester has won three terms while other Republicans prevailed in their contests.
Before holding public office, Bullock was a union-side labor law attorney and led a successful state initiative to raise the minimum wage. He holds degrees from Claremont McKenna College and Columbia Law School.
This is unquestionably a tossup race; some polls show Bullock ahead and some Daines.
Bullock has familiarity with national security issues through his service on the Council of Governors, which serves as a mechanism for governors and key federal officials to address matters pertaining to the National Guard, homeland defense and defense support to civil authorities.
The Governor supports extending New START by five years and reentering and improving the Iran nuclear agreement. He argues: “Rather than isolating us from our allies and eroding our credibility, a principled foreign policy should keep America safe by restoring our standing and leadership in the world. We can best protect the American people and deter adversaries by strengthening our alliances and promoting American values, including human rights and democracy.”
